A month’s worth of recapping.

So apparently I follow this trend of creating lots and lots of interviews, lists and posts at one sporadic time. This tends to mean I (or in this case, you the reader) miss out on lots of releases, videos and all kinds of good stuff. This post offers an apology for those gaps of time and also a compilation of some of the best stuff you may have missed in the last month. Thanks for reading, or subscribing if you do and thanks even more for your patience!

Guante ft. Graham O’brien – “This is the opposite of a suicide note remix”

Minneapolis-based hip hop artist, 2-time National Poetry Slam champion, activist and educator GUANTE teams up with drummer and producer GRAHAM O’BRIEN (of No Bird Sing, Prey for Paralysis, Junkyard Empire) for this remix of one of Guante’s most memorable songs.

“This is the Opposite of a Suicide Note” is a war cry, a manifesto, an acknowledgement that as bad as things can get, there is always hope and power in community.

Guante & Big Cats! will release “You Better Weaponize” in Fall 2012.  Guante’s next show is at the Cedar Cultural Center on July 26, part of the Cedar’s “Cedar Outdoors” series. Graham O’Brien is currently writing, producing and performing on a number of projects, including the follow-up to his 2011 solo release “Live Drums” and the 3rd album from No Bird Sing. In addition, he and audio engineer Adam Krinsky have teamed up to build and open “Bellows,” a new recording and mixing studio in downtown St. Paul.  Graham is performing next at St. Paul’s “Music In Mears” with No Bird Sing on August 9 at Mears Park in St. Paul.

 

3flection – “Rejuvenation”

“Rejuvenation” is the lead single off of 3flection’s next EP “Doses Of Reality” which will be available for free on July 30, 2012. Video by F5 Entertainment, beat by hala-X.

 

 

Aer – “Floats My Boat”

 

Sab the Artist ft. Ganzobean – “Love Is In The Air”

Here’s the first track from Love Is In Air 2 titled “Love Is In The Air”. Written and performed by Sab The Artist. Produced by Ganzobean.

 

Trouble B – “On My Way To Mars”

 

Aesop Rock – “ZZZ Top”

Directed by Pete Lee
Produced by Lizzie Rose
Exec Prod: Aesop Rock
Dir. of Photography: Drew Daniels
Sound Design: Matteo Grilli
Starring Aesop Rock + Hao Zhi Hua aka Patti Li,
Zumbi, Dennis Ruel, Edward Kahana, Vlad Rimburg, Lucas Okuma, Alvin Hsing, Bryan Cartago

 

Exxe – “The Broke & Gifted”

 

The Tribe and Big Cats – “Space”

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Kool Keith – “Goodbye Rap”

 

Errol ft. Engineers In Your Ears – “Utopiugly”

 

Hurricane J – “Out of Place”

 

Papa J – “Props To The Mob”

With the release of his mixtape “Life As I Know It” right around the corner, Papa J. brings his fourth official music video since joining The Movement. His lyrical word play continues to set the bar for the modern day MC, keep an eye out on his mixtape dropping real soon!

 

Homeless ft. K.Raydio – “Get Gone”

 

Yonas – “The Transition”

 

Chris Goodwin – “Night Owl EP”

Instrumental EP from uglegends FB contributor Chris Goodwin. This man knows good music.

 

OnePlusOne (a.k.a. Dispute-One and Orikal Uno) – “Homework Volume 1”

OnePlusOne presents: Homework Volume One

The long awaited mix-tape from Dispute One and Orikal Uno. Mixed and blended by D’Jo of Slipmats Radio

 

I’m sure there’s plenty of stuff I missed so feel free to add in the comments or e-mail me! Lot’s more coming today so heads up for subscribers, your inbox is going to be blown up.

An interview with the hip-hop revivalist: Orikal Uno

Orikal Uno (whom has been voted Saint Paul’s best kept secret for the TCHHA/Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards in previous years) has remained somewhat a local secret but is beginning to earn the cred he has been deserving of. He is one of the few rappers I know in constant “grind-mode”, whether it be painting murals, performing at local venues, or recording some new track, with some other local geniuses. The man is busy and has a lot to show for his hard work. An artist who you should put, and keep on your radar for years to come. Ladies and gents’ met Orikal Uno, the man with the plan to bring hip-hop back to its true roots with passion and determination.

UG: What is your first memory of the Twin Cities hip-hop scene?

O: Probably the first time I painted a train. I was a pre-teen and surrounded by hip-hop heads. As far as the music goes, my homies were the first Rhymesayers street team, and a Micranots show is one of my memories at the 7th street entry. I was probably 12 years old at the time and it was an all ages show.

UG: How did you get your start as an artist?

O: I had this little karaoke machine that took cassette tapes. I’d put on my favorite songs and record my raps on that thing. From there, I got a keyboard that would play pre-recorded drum-loops, and we’d do songs over that. I got my first digital microphone from a game I got at the dollar store. I used that mic and Magix Music Studio for my first 2 albums haha. One channel would record as nothing but noise, and one channel was vocals. So I learned how to copy and paste the “voice” channel over the “noise” channel when I was like 13 for clearer vocals.

UG: Tell me a little about your label, Graff Roots Media.

O: I established Graff Roots in 2006. The name comes from how I got involved in hip-hop music, which was via graffiti. I treat music like graff, get your name everywhere, paint/write with different artists, and do the best work you possibly can with what you got at the most high-profile spots.

I don’t really consider us a “record label” – more like a collective of artists that represent Music, Art, Culture and Style. We got some plans up our sleeve for the next year, and if executed properly it’ll do very good things for hip-hop here in Minnesota.   We’re more of a movement than a label. We’re B-Boys and B-Girls progressing/preserving the culture and keeping that true hip-hop relevant. I like to consider us the last of a dying breed, that we’re hoping to revive.

UG: What projects do you currently have in the works?

O: My debut studio album “Uno” dropped last year. I teamed up with Dispute One and we go by “OnePlusOne” – We have a mixtape done and recorded, we’re just waiting for the final mix/blend from our DJ. Once we get that, we’ll be releasing that free. Orikal&Ganzobean have had a complete album recorded and in the vault for a while now. I also have albums almost complete with Chris Goodwin and West End Productions. Besides that, I’m working on a project with Adbeatz out of Chicago. As well as a mixtape with Tully Stockton. I stay busy in the studio.

UG: If you had to sell yourself in 3 songs or less, which 3 songs would you chose to represent your style?

O: “On This Day” – “Get Away (So Stressed Out)” – “Rumfaced”

UG: Who do you consider and inspiration, and why?

O: In life, my Mom. She flipped her life around with very limited resources to raise me. Did it all on her own. I’m very proud of her. In music, a lot of great musicians from a lot of different genres have influenced me. Good music is my inspiration. As far as making dreams a reality, Rhymesayers are very inspirational with how they came up. Especially as a Minnesota kid. I watched them go from local to worldwide every step of the way.

UG: You’ve worked with a ton of amazing people, who were some of your favorites?

O: Sab The Artist, Prof, Mac Lethal and Dispute One (a/k/a Extreme) – I have my reasons for each of them.

UG: Who do you dream of someday working with?

O: Prince. Quincy Jones. DJ Premiere. Twista. Dr. Dre. Devin The Dude. Slug and Ant.

UG: What is your biggest accomplishment?

O: Being the first of my family to get a college degree.

UG:Tell me about your thoughts on hip-hop today, vs the scene 10 years ago

O: It’s different in various ways. The internet is a major factor. Too many people have easy access to making music. I remember when studio time actually cost something, and people who were dead serious about music would practice for days on end for those couple of hours in the studio. Now it’s like anybody with a computer program can be comfortable with half-assing a song and wonder why they don’t have a fan base. I also feel like a lot of the values of the hip-hop I grew up in are fading away… Too many rappers rapping about nothing, not enough breakdancers honing their skills on the floor. I could ramble about this for days…

UG: What barriers are you most proud for overcoming?

O: Being able to freestyle, and having my own style in graffiti. 2 barriers i’d like to overcome are my stutter in interpersonal conversation, and my type-one diabetes. lol.

UG: What are your goals for your self and your music?

O: World domination. Comfortable income for me and those I care about. And never-ending progression in my music. Never bottoming out.

UG: What’s your advice for younger kids who want to get involved?

O: Study whatever culture you wish to be involved with. Learn who’s responsible for what you want to do and why they made it great. Be yourself and be proud of who you are. Respect your elders, but don’t be afraid or intimidated to surpass them, respectfully. Talk less and work more. If it’s rap, freestyle more. If it’s art, sketch/paint more. Stay humble. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, just make sure you’re asking the right people. PAY YOUR DUES.

You can download lots of his music (most for free) on his bandcamp site, and stay up to date with his facebook fanpage and twitter @OrikalUno 

New music Sunday!

Happy Sunday everybody,

Got some exciting new music today! New video from the super collaboration team Knox, Gene Poole, Mike the Martyr and Apollo Brown. The video was shot by AbhiNav from Cherry Sky Studios. I love this song and the visuals do it justice.

Knox ft. Gene Poole & Mike the Martyr – “Breathe”:

 

And now something for the Emcee’s out there. Marq Louie sent me over some hot beats. Check them out at his soundcloud page. Here’s some examples of his stuff:

 

Also, to get y’all excited about the new OnePlusOne release, DisputeOne has some free downloads up on his facebook bandpage with productions from Big Jess and Last Word!

 

 

Free music Friday!

Hello hello hello! Friday’s almost over so this post is kinda misleading.. Oh well. Enjoy the free music! Including leaks from the highly anticipated OnePlusOne album, an insanely good collaboration, a new video from an underground heavyweight and a new video from one of the next up!

OnePlusOne ft. Legend Has It & JL Magee – “Ice”

Homeless ft. G Dot, Prod. by Ganzobean – “The World Is In An Uproar, Ro, Ro, Roar”

Rocky Diamonds – “Blind Sex” (Download The Diamond Life)

Kelo ft. Ethio Boy – “Dreamin'”